Chapter 245
Chapter 245. Before the Destruction (3)
“You’re always wearing a suit.”
“Why, is that weird?”
“No, it’s not like that. To be honest, I was wondering if it might be uncomfortable to wear a suit, especially when you’re working. Suits can be a bit, well, uncomfortable, right?”
Jung Haseong quietly observed the awakened individual standing next to him. From the vest tailored perfectly to fit his chest, to the dark brown Oxford shoes, the cynical suit attire was meticulously formal. As Haseong searched his memories, he realized he had hardly ever seen the person stray far from this classic, formal style.
Of course, when an Awakened person comes into contact with an object, they basically follow the special law of ‘magic conduction,’ and can turn ordinary scissors into artifact-level weapons. Thanks to this phenomenon, even wearing regular items ensures at least some degree of defense, preventing a disaster like being reduced to a naked wanderer by a mere breath from a B-rank wind-element monster. Fortunately, such catastrophes don’t occur.
No matter how much they advertise elasticity or comfort, in the end, it’s still a suit. Jung Haseong was curious about why someone who appeared to live a relatively laid-back life would insist on wearing formal attire, when options like sweatpants or casual wear were available.
y a mere breath from a B-Rank wind element monster. Fortunately, such catastrophes don't occur.
No matter how much they advertise elasticity or comfort, in the end, it's still a suit. Jung Haseong was curious about why someone who appeared to live a relatively laid-back life would insist on wearing formal attire, when options like sweatpants or casual wear were available.
For the past three months, the hero had rarely engaged in casual conversation, so it was surprising that he was now asking such personal questions. However, it wasn't too much to ask for a little bit of a response as a gesture of gratitude towards the Earthling who had even driven him all the way to Incheon.
"As expected, are you someone who prefers wearing suits after all?"
"Rather than saying I like them, they were clothes I personally wanted to wear."
"I'm sorry, but I think they mean the same thing."
"Is that so?"
Giryeo replied without turning his head, simply opening his mouth to answer.
"Actually, it's been my dream to wear a uniform and work for a while."
Anyway, it's not a lie.
"At one point, I worked in fields like a bathtub factory or delivery services, and somehow ended up preparing for the prison guard exam..."
"B, bathtub? A bathtub factory?"
"Just when I was younger. Anyway, it's common for a student to imagine what they'll look like once they pass the exam."
"...Right. I did the same during my college entrance exams."
"My future dream was to wear a clean uniform and earn money as a prison guard, but that didn't work out."
The blond man continued his small talk in a dry tone, as if he were speaking about someone else.
"It's been tough in many ways. So now, instead of a government uniform, I'm wearing this just to make myself feel better. It's for my own satisfaction."
Whoosh.
It's been tough in many ways. So now, instead of a government uniform, I'm wearing this just to make myself feel better. It's for my own satisfaction.
Whoosh.
When he lowered his gaze, the white shirt immediately came into view. Just as he had said, after regaining the memories of the body's original owner, Kim Giryeo realized that the black suit the vessel had been wearing at the time of death wasn't something he had liked. Even so, he still continued to maintain a certain style of dress.
'Actually, the main reason is that 80% of the clothes Esther gave me as gifts are suits.'
Apart from the dream of becoming a correctional officer, the true owner of this body, the Earthling Kim Giryeo, had a strange yearning for white-collar jobs, perhaps because he started his social life in manual labor occupations. So, the alien decided to stick with the current formal style, as if to indulge in wearing the office attire that he had long admired in his previous life.
It was an Earth trend that he would never fully understand. From the perspective of an advanced jellyfish, any fabric would eventually be uncomfortable, but if that was the case, it was better to attach some small meaning to this forced culture.
'It's efficient and good, isn't it?'
Giryeo fiddled with the silk tie on his neck.
However, at this moment, the primitive sorcerer, who usually rarely initiates conversation, spoke again.
"To think that working in a prison was your dream. I'm sure if someone like Hunter Kim Giyeo was guarding it, the prisoners would have felt at ease even in the middle of their confinement."
"Um, sorry, but are you implying that it's because my appearance is so intimidating that even the criminals would have been scared?"
"No. There's a much more accurate and positive way to express it. Why are you blaming yourself like that?"
"What is that expression?"
"Charisma."
Jung Haseong placed one of his wrists on the hilt of the sunset sword fixed to his belt. Then, while looking at Giryeo's black tie, he thought to himself. He was the type to sift thoughts through his mind repeatedly before saying them aloud, rather than speaking right away.
'Ah, so that's why he wears a suit like it's a uniform.'
d, rather than speaking right away.
'Ah, so that's why he wears a suit like it's a uniform.'
As expected, that's really unique.
Whenever he had conversations with Giryeo, there were often unexpected responses, and today was no different. Compared to the crashing waves of the sea in front of him, Giryeo was incredibly calm. In truth, this awakened individual was more like the deep, calm abyss of the ocean rather than its surface. So why, when actually speaking to him, did it always feel so unpredictable?
'Given that his hair is completely yellow, it must mean he's dyeing it regularly. I thought he was someone who paid a lot of attention to his appearance and always dressed neatly, but it seems that's not the case...'
Haseong briefly glanced at his gray hairs, long overdue for a trip to the salon, before continuing to speak.
"Anyway, it must be disappointing that you couldn't achieve your dream. I feel disappointed too. I think you would have suited that job well, Hunter."
"Isn't that the same for you too?"
It had only been a few seconds since he thought Giryeo was unpredictable, and already such an unfamiliar question had come.
“You were originally planning to become a veterinarian, but you awakened and dropped out, right?”
When the conversation turned to specific careers, Jung Haseong pressed his lips together in a calm yet subtly strange reaction.
It was then. Giryeo began cautiously watching the hero’s expression and asked another question.
“Haseong, are you going to keep doing this job?”
“Yes?”
“Just wondering if you’re planning to stay in the Hunter line of work for life…”
It was a statement that contained many meanings.
Somehow, Jung Haseong had ended up becoming one of the modern era’s most prominent heroes. However, his original dream had been to become a veterinarian specializing in small animals like dogs and parrots. Even though that profession also involved wielding a blade, there was still a significant difference between performing surgery to save a life and making an incision simply to tear through flesh.
Somehow, Jung Haseong had ended up becoming one of the modern era's most prominent heroes. However, his original dream had been to become a veterinarian specializing in small animals like dogs and parrots. Even though that profession also involved wielding a blade, there was still a significant difference between performing surgery to save a life and making an incision simply to tear through flesh.
“It’s a tough job.”
Moreover, unlike his strong physique, the young man’s mental fortitude couldn’t keep up, and at one point, he even ended up in the hospital.
“Honestly, I think you, Jung Haseong, sometimes feel way too much unnecessary responsibility.”
“Unnecessary?”
“As I’ve said before, what’s the big deal about Awakening...? If you search it up online, you’ll see that recent statistics on Awakening occurrences, according to foreign research, show a clear upward trend in the past few years.”
“....”
“Surprisingly, humanity is adapting to magic faster than expected. If we just wait another 10 or 20 years, the ratio of Awakened individuals will increase significantly. Then, the Hunter market will grow, and civilians will gradually be able to defend themselves autonomously.”
Surprisingly, humanity is adapting to magic faster than expected. If we just wait another 10 or 20 years, the ratio of Awakened individuals will increase significantly. Then, the Hunter market will grow, and civilians will gradually be able to defend themselves autonomously.
I see.
The conclusion is, no matter what you do from now on, the worst-case scenario where the world ends or something similar... probably won’t happen. If that’s what you want, honestly, just clearing the minimum necessary dungeon breaks would be enough, and society will continue to function just fine.
Giryeo carefully spoke to Jung Haseong, his voice cutting through the sound of the crashing waves.
Have you ever thought about quitting being a Hunter?
His tone was soft, as if he were genuinely concerned, but in truth, a thoroughly sly calculation was running through his mind. After all, the F-rank swindler standing here had already made a promise to Jung Haseong that he had no real way of keeping. However, if by any chance Jung Haseong decided to retire, he wouldn’t have to pay out the problematic reward for the lecture (a formal team) to him.
If I can’t retire, then you’ll retire too!
'Raising Jung Haseong could be considered an investment for the future, so the time spent wasn’t entirely wasted. But if it gets exposed that I’ve been running a scam worth 6 billion a month for a goal that was never going to be achieved...!'
'Raising Jung Haseong could be considered an investment for the future, so the time spent wasn't entirely wasted. But if it gets exposed that I've been running a scam worth 6 billion a month for a goal that was never going to be achieved...!'
Keugh.
The blond man waited anxiously for the other's answer.
"Thinking about quitting, you mean? I think about it every day."
Ooh! Korea's fourth S-rank felt excited from the depths of his soul.
"But I'm not going to."
However, in just a brief moment, his spirits came crashing down.
"Actually, I didn't pursue being a veterinarian with some grand sense of duty. It's just that my grades were decent... and I really liked dogs. Plus, on TV, they kept talking about how the pet market was going to grow bigger in the future."
"...."
....
Jobs like that usually make a lot of money, right?
Then, the black-haired pyromancer displayed a gesture that seemed completely out of character for them. They formed a circle with their index and thumb, while the other fingers were lightly spread apart. This was a typical gesture representing money in this place.
It was a dream I chose based on percentages anyway.
Oh my.
So what if my job changes because of the superpowers that suddenly came down from the sky? Well.
Haseong shrugged his shoulders. He had always been a person without much of a strong opinion, almost like water, and on top of that, his indecisiveness was strong. Given the current situation, however, he seemed to find satisfaction in it.
A world where countless people would be in trouble just because I’m not around? When you think about it, there’s no life more fulfilling or important than that. Haseong didn’t even need to contemplate the kind of existential question that middle-aged office workers often ponder, “What is the meaning of my life?”
A world where countless people would be in trouble just because I'm not around? When you think about it, there's no life more fulfilling or important than that. Haseong didn't even need to contemplate the kind of existential question that middle-aged office workers often ponder, "What is the meaning of my life?"
'Still, becoming Korea's first S-rank, and awakening with such an immense amount of mana that it couldn't even be properly controlled—those seem like a bit too much... But thanks to this person next to me, I've improved a lot through training. Honestly, these days, I don't feel that much self-loathing anymore.'
Haseong stood with his hands behind his back in a composed manner. Then, with his usual clean and proper voice, he continued the conversation.
"Hunter Kim Giryeo."
"Yeah."
"But when I listened carefully, it felt like the things you've been saying since a while were secretly encouraging me to retire."
"Huh?"
"As if you wouldn't have to deal with me whining to be put on a regular team if I quit being a Hunter..."
"...."
“As if you wouldn’t have to deal with me whining to be put on a regular team if I quit being a Hunter…”
“....”
“It’s just my imagination, right?”
Immediately after, Jung Haseong widened his eyes and stared intensely at someone’s profile.
“It’s just my imagination, right? Hunter-nim?”
“M, mhm.”
“Thank you for your answer.”
Anyway, it was fine. Since the last meal at the budae jjigae restaurant, Giryeo had noticed a clear change in Jeong Haseong’s attitude, but still, it was something to be thankful for that he wasn’t in the same position as before, about to be roasted.
Kim Giryeo wiped the cold sweat from his hand, possibly due to temperature regulation or something else, and then spoke.
“By the way, Haseong, aren’t you getting hungry…? I brought you all the way here using gas, so I’ll buy you a meal just to show my gratitude.”
By the way, Haseong, aren't you getting hungry...? I brought you all the way here using gas, so I'll buy you a meal just to show my gratitude.
Ah, meal?
Do you want seafood?
I'm sorry, but I forgot my magic consumption accessories today. I don't know if there's a restaurant that will accept S-rank Awakener at this time.
Well, there are plenty of bakeries nearby. We could buy some bread and eat it by the sea...
Continuing their discussion, the two S-rank Hunters decided to grab some food from a nearby bakery and eat outdoors. During the process, Jung Haseong took out his phone and casually suggested, "By the way, we're in Incheon, so how about we break a gate after the meal as a little keepsake?" However, his companion quickly shot down the idea with a dry remark, and the suggestion was immediately dismissed.
You're crazy. This isn't going to work. Hey, Jung Haseong, since we don't have any set plans, you should take a break with me for today.
Y, yes?
"Y, yes?"
"If you try to get back to work before I finish my break, just wait. I've told you before, getting too focused on work is a sickness, you know? Or maybe you're already sick."
Step, step.
Jung Haseong and Kim Giryeo went to the coast to gather new food. They had ventured into relatively rough terrain to avoid the general public, so it took a while to reach the sandy beach after stepping on rocks for quite some time.
However, before they could fully leave the sandy border, a familiar yet puzzling piece of information approached them. Something heavy or sharp. Or the unique cold, bluish hair that always came to mind when thinking of the word "Milky Way." Along with a tall figure.
"Huh?"
"What is it?"
Giryeo combines the visual data coming into his field of view, piece by piece.
'It's Kang Changho, right?'
The subject of the oath appeared on the midday beach. Wearing a simple black short-sleeve t-shirt and long cotton pants, his outfit seemed completely ordinary, with the exception of the summer sunglasses perched on his nose, making him appear at first glance like a regular vacationer. However, it was hard to consider him an individual given the large assets he possessed—why would a wealthy person like him choose such a public place as a vacation spot this year?
“Kim Giryeo!”
As expected, the real intention from the other party soon became clear. A large awakened individual, carrying a Boston bag with the logo of a golf equipment company on his shoulder, approached. As he approached, Kim Giryeo immediately expressed his doubts without even taking a breath.
“What are you doing?”
Though it was a sentence without even a proper subject, the contractor smoothly continued the conversation as he placed his sunglasses into the outer pocket of his bag.
“I thought the direction was strange, but it really was at the beach. Did I disturb the young people playing?”
“Hmm?”
I thought the direction was strange, but it really was at the beach. Did I disturb the young people playing?
Hmm?
Sorry about that. But lately, Hunter Kim Giryeo's been causing so much trouble. The truth is, I was busy with something else, so I only found out late that you left Seoul.
Ah.
So I rushed over, thinking you might be up to some weird scheme and planning to enter a dungeon again. But looking at the situation, I guess that's not the case?
The national hero visibly reacted with displeasure to the word “nonsense” that came up during the conversation, glaring with a hint of annoyance. However, Kim Giryeo’s response remained flat and monotone.
A dungeon?
During the Gampo Port incident, it was simply a matter of good luck. As long as that Korean stalker was around, it was no surprise that such situations could arise at any time. There was no need to be surprised by the events that were so clearly predictable.
An accidental encounter like the one with the tentacle isn’t something that happens often. Why would I go to dangerous places for no reason?
clearly predictable.
“An accidental encounter like the one with the tentacle isn’t something that happens often. Why would I go to dangerous places for no reason?”
“Hmm.”
There is a third party next to him, but it is not a direct reference to the Improvement, so it is okay.
“Since the oath is already in place, what’s there to worry about?”
“I am worried that someone will use some strange trick.”
Kang Changho moved slowly and got a little closer to the group of top-ranking hunters in the industry. Seeing his calm attitude, Giryeo spoke with a much lighter heart.
“I have no intention of breaking the [Knight’s Oath], so please rest assured.”
Next, he was about to say something along the lines of how could a person possibly break a contract that involves their life from the start.
Thud.
ir life from the start.
Thud.
However, for some reason, as soon as the blonde man's words ended, an unknown noise echoed from nearby.
Thud? It happened so quickly that he's not sure, but this was like...
“Hmm?”
Kang Changho stopped walking toward this way and lowered his head. This means that as soon as he heard the noise in question, he turned his gaze towards his bag.
“Oh, right. I totally forgot about this.”
He muttered a few incomprehensible words, then told them to wait for a moment. Saying he would show them something interesting, he opened the zipper of the bag he was carrying over one shoulder.
‘Could it be that there’s golf equipment inside?’
It was around the time when Jung Haseong was having this thought that a change occurred in Kang Changho’s direction. The corners of someone’s mouth, which had been subtly curved in a smile the whole time, slowly turned down. Kang Changho became quietly expressionless.
Could it be that there's golf equipment inside?
It was around the time when Jung Haseong was having this thought that a change occurred in Kang Changho's direction. The corners of someone's mouth, which had been subtly curved in a smile the whole time, slowly turned down. Kang Changho became quietly expressionless.
What on earth could be inside that bag that made an S-rank hunter suddenly react like that?
"...."
Kang Changho, with a calm expression and slightly widened eyes, stared inside the bag for a long while. He then briefly looked at the nearby blonde Awakened, alternated his gaze between them and the contents of the bag, and showed this reaction.
He was silent for a long time, lost for words. Then, suddenly, he furrowed his brows and quietly burst into laughter. Although he didn't make a sound, it was the first time anyone had seen the S-rank Hunter smile so widely, to the point where his lower teeth were fully exposed.
But why was that? On the surface, Kang Changho's laughter seemed so positive, to the point it reminded one of his childhood. Yet, suddenly, a chilling warning light flickered in someone's mind. It strongly felt like something was wrong.
Author's Thoughts
Hi, from now on, I will update this novel 3 chapters/week. Thank you for all your support so far:)
